The Assessment Continues

Tears blurred Uchiha Chōnan's vision. The Sand Shinobi Captain had grievously wounded Uchiha Chōshima with a single slash, but he showed no sign of stopping.

He moved swiftly and appeared before Chōshima again in the blink of an eye, thrusting his Short Sword forward.

Blood sprayed from Chōshima's chest as the blade pierced his heart. He gripped it and barely managed to turn toward his younger brother.

His lips moved slowly. He struggled to say two words, blood staining his teeth red.

Chōnan could not hear him, but he knew what his brother meant. Run.

In that instant, the Forest seemed to fall silent. Chōnan could even hear his own heartbeat.

His mind went blank. Only the steady thud of his heart told him he was still alive.

The blood spraying from Chōshima's chest swelled in Chōnan's eyes until it dyed the whole world red. His brother's loving face filled his mind.

His once dark eyes turned scarlet, and a single Tomoe slowly revolved within them.

Uchiha Chōnan's eyes flew open. He stared at his familiar surroundings, a sharp pain gripping his heart.

The events in the dream had been false, but his brother Chōshima's death was real. Tears slipped down his cheeks.

He walked slowly into the bathroom and splashed water on his face twice. In the mirror, a pair of scarlet Sharingan revolved in his eyes.

Chōnan's feelings were tangled. Since he was ten, he had trained relentlessly, hoping not to fall behind other Ninja of his age in the clan.

He had long since given up hope of awakening the Sharingan. If his brother had not kept encouraging him, he might have given up entirely.

Now his Sharingan had awakened, but Chōshima had already died in battle.

Chōnan had never felt so lost. His brother's voice and